Archery gloves



A. J. LOVE ARCHERY GLOVES Nov. 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1955 A/berf J love INVENTOR.

BY M

ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 A. J. LOVE 2,769,179

ARCHERY GLOVES Filed Nov. 2, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 A/berz 4/. Love INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY ARCHERY GLOVES Albert J. Love, Mathis, Tex. Application November 2, 1958, Serial No. 389,606

8 Claims. (Cl. 2161) This invention relates to archery gloves, and particularly to an improved glove construction which will assist the archer in avoiding certain common errors of technique.

It is conventional for an archer to wear a glove on his shooting hand. Such gloves are generally made of leather, and comprise 'a body portion partly covering the back of the hand, a strap and buckle for securing it about the small of the wrist, and three sheaths for receiving the string fingers. These sheaths or finger pockets substantially enclose the first, middle and ring fingers of the shooting hand, both to protect these fingers and to permit a smoother release when the fingers are rolled from the string to start the arrow on it flight. While such conventional shooting gloves permit excellent results when the archer is sufiiciently skillful and careful in his technique of drawing the string and releasing the arrow, there are several common errors in technique which are diflicult to avoid, any one of which will cause poor shooting results.

Each time the bow is drawn to shooting position the drawing hand should come back to a certain point, called the anchor point. When the anchor point is reached there is a considerable tension exerted on the string fingers by the bow string, and, with a conventional glove, the tendency is for the middle finger to bend considerably more than the first and ring fingers. This is due to this middle finger being longer, stronger and held in a position more nearly the apex of the triangle formed by the drawn bow string, thereby causing the greater amount of load, from the pressure of the bow string to be carried on this crucial middle finger. Moreover, since the middle finger is longer than the first and ring fingers the archer will often be obliged to voluntarily hold this finger back somewhat in an effort to align the first joints and the ends of the string fingers. In "a hold on the string whereby the middle finger is excessively bent, and extending farther around the string than the first and ring fingers, the string will be prevented from leaving the fingers evenly and simultaneously by the momentary delay in straightening the middle finger.

Even when the archer makes a conscientious effort to prevent excessive bending of the middle finger, he is faced with the further problem that the bow string tends to slip past the first joint. The middle finger being normally longer than the first and ring fingers, a conscious effort must be made to draw it back to align the ends and first joints of all the string fingers in order to keep the string in proper position. When the string does come too far back on the middle finger a slow, uneven release is likely to result rather than the sharp snap desired.

There is also the danger that with excessive bending of the middle finger the string, upon being released, will touch the bent forward end of the middle finger sufficiently to deflect the arrow.

Still another error in technique frequently occurring when ordinary archery gloves are used is pinching the nock end of the arrow between the first and middle fingers. As is Well known the drawn bow string forms an angle with the apex at the string fingers, so that the force exerted nited States Patent ice tends to drive the fingers closer together. As the nock of the arrow is held between the first and middle fingers it is readily apparent that the tension on the bow string tending to drive these two fingers together will cause the arrow to be pinched unless a conscious effort is made to prevent it.

Since it requires the full skill and concentration of the archer to take into account the various factors which must be considered to properly aim the arrow, there is a definite need in this sport for a glove which will automatically reduce the probability of these common errors in the draw and release.

Accordingly, it is my object to provide an archery glove of improved construction which will materially assist the archer to improve his drawing and releasing technique.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an archery glove which will minimize the tendency of the middle finger to bend excessively during the'draw.

It is another object of my invention to provide an archery glove which will prevent the bow string from slipping up on the middle finger to a point beyond the first joint.

It is another object of my invention to provide an archery glove which will minimize the possibility of the bow string touching the end of the middle finger sheath upon its release.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an archery glove which will virtually eliminate the possibility of pinching the nock end of the arrow between the first and middle fingers.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be pointed out in the following description of my glove, and

in the appended claims.

Briefly stated, my invention accomplishes its objectives by improving the conventional archery glove in three major respects. To eliminate the tendency of the middle finger to bend excessively, I provide a reinforcing band on the middle finger sheath at the position of the first joint. This band also serves as a tee or elevated take-oif point for the bow string, reducing the probability of it striking the tip of the middle finger sheath. To prevent the bow string from riding up on the middle finger to a point beyond the first joint, I add to the reinforcing band a stop, preferably in the form of an additional band of material, beginning at the position of the first joint of the middle finger and extending rearwardly, or inwardly to or near the rear edge of the sheath. The string will then slide back on the middle finger sheath only until it engages the stop. To eliminate the danger of pinching the arrow I provide a suitable spacer on the side of the first finger sheath adjacent the middle finger sheath. This 1 spacer engages either with the stop providing band or an.

additional spacer member placed on the side of the middle finger sheath, to space the first and middle fingers apart sufliciently to prevent the nock end of the arrow from being pinched between them at the time of the release.

The features of my invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the back side of my improved archery glove buckled on the shooting hand, showing the bow string in drawn position with the nock end of the arrow in position for release; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the front side of my glove in place on the string the draw; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the front side of my archery glove in the open position; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the back of my archery glove in open position, showing the attachment of the finger sheaths to the glove body; Fig. 6 is a detail view of the middle finger sheath only; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the middle finger sheath; Fig. 8 is a view of the side of the middle finger sheath adjacent the first finger sheath; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the middle finger sheath taken along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a view of the first finger sheath showing the side adjacent the middle finger; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the first finger sheath taken along the lines 1111 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a modified form of the middle finger sheath; Fig. 13 is alongitudinal section along the lines 1313 of Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing a second modification of the middle finger sheath.

Referring first to Fig. 4 of the drawings there is shown a presently preferred form of archery glove embodying the various features of my invention. It includes a conventional fiat body portion 1 adapted to fit over the back of the shooting hand and having a strap 2 for buckling about the wrist. The strap may be provided with a buckle 3 adapted to engage a snap 4 on the glove, or with any other suitable attachment means. The glove body is further provided with conventional tabs 5, 6 and 7 corresponding to the positions of the first, middle and ring fingers respectively of the right hand. Sewn or otherwise attached to the tabs 5, 6 and 7 respectively are sheaths 8, 9 and 10 of somewhat heavier material than the body portion 1 of the glove and designed to envelop the first, middle and ring fingers. This much of the glove is conventional and is not a part of my invention.

As shown in Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, I have added to the conventional middle finger sheath a band 11 extending from a point just behind the small openings provided in the free distal end of the sheath to the fully open end of the rear, or proximal edge of the sheath, and extending over at least the front surface of the sheath. By front surface, I mean the surface of the sheath adapted to cover the palmar surface of the finger of the wearer. The position of the band 11 is critical only in that it must cover the portion of the front surface of the sheath which will cover the first joint of the middle finger when the glove is in place, thereby adding stiffness to the sheath at this point to aid in resisting the force tending to bend the first joint during the draw and hold. It is contemplated that this band will be made of the same material as the glove, usually leather, but any suitable material may, of course, be used.

To provide a stop to prevent the bow string from sliding back on the middle finger to a point beyond the first joint, I atfix to the band 11 a second band 12 beginning at the approximate position on the front side of the sheath which will cover the first joint when the glove is in place, and extending rearwardly, or inwardly, to the fully open end of the sheath. It will be understood, of course, that the stop or position defining band 12 may be sewn or otherwise secured directly to the sheath 9 in the event the stiffening band 11 is not employed. Moreover, other suitable means of providing a raised element at this point would sufiice as a stop and positioning device within the teaching of my invention. The forwardly extending edge of the position defining band 12 restrains the bow string, preventing it from slipping rearwardly beyond the first joint of the middle finger. This materially aids in aligning the ends of the string fingers during the draw and hold permitting a sharper release.

It is obvious, of course, that modifications can be made in the construction of the sheath for the middle finger without departing from the spirit of my invention both as to material used, method of attaching the bands to the sheath, and arrangement thereof. One modification of sufficient importance to be described is shown in Figs. 12 and; 13 in which the same numerals are used to indicate the equivalent portions of the sheath. A modified stiffening band 11a is provided with a raised portion 13 at its distal or outer end. This raised portion may be formed in the leather or other material of the band itself as best seen in Fig. 13 or may be formed by turning the forward edge of the leather beneath itself to give an additional thickness at this point. If preferred, a separate piece of material 14 may be superimposed upon the band as shown in Fig. 14, having its forward edge wrapped around a suitable wire or similar object 15, turned under, and secured in place on the band 11. In this manner a raised portion 13a of any desired size may be provided at the outer end of the stiffening band. The advantage of providing the hump or raised portion 13 or 13a to some archers is that it will act as a slight impediment to the bow string 16 as it rolls off the fingers when they are gradually straightened out to effect the release of the arrow. This impediment will tend to sharpen the release by providing a more definite point of release.

In order to prevent pinching of the neck end of the arrow I provide a spacer 17 on the first finger sheath 8, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11. This spacer may consist of one piece of thick leather or other suitable material, or several layers of thinner material, so long as a sufficient thickness is provided that the space between the stiffener band 11 of the sheath 9 and the first finger sheath 8 will be sufficient that the neck end of the arrow may pass freely therebetween. It should be understood, of course, that the positioner need not be made of leather or even of a flexible material, but any spacing means of wood, metal, plastic or the like would serve the purpose. Moreover, the spacer 17 may be secured to the second finger sheath 9, or a spacer may be attached to both sheaths 8 and 9 without departing from the spirit of my invention.

While the description of my improved archery glove has assumed, and the drawings have shown, a glove of conventional leather, it should be understood that many other pliable materials are suitable for the glove and finger sheaths. It is possible, of course, to use either pliable or rigid material for the stiffening band, for the string positioner, and for the spacer.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, my improved archery glove is shown in various positions of actual use. Side views of the string 16 are shown in fragmentary form after the bow has been drawn, in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the fingers holding the drawn bow string.

In Fig. 3 the mock end of the arrow 18 is shown, with the string within the nook and with the cock feather 19 just below and parallel with the first and middle finger sheaths 8 and 9. The spacer 17 is shown touching the string positioning band 12 to provide a space between the stiifening band 11 and the sheath 8 into which the nock end of the arrow 18 fits without binding. The bow string touches the forward edge of the positioning band 12 and bears against the front face of the stiffening band 11, with the first joint portions of the finger sheaths 8 and 10 properly aligned beneath and above it.

When the draw has been completed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bow string has assumed its characteristic angle and there is considerable pressure exerted by the string on the first, middle and ring finger. This pressure tends to drive the first and middle fingers together, but, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the arrow is not pinched.

As further shown in Fig. 2 the middle finger covered by the sheath 9 is not excessively bent rearward, but instead is aligned with the ends of the first and ring fingers. This permits a simultaneous release of the string by all three fingers rather than the leggy slow release obtained with an. excessively bent middle finger. Moreover, the portion of the bow string bearing against the three fingers forms a straight line, since the ends and first joints of the fingers are substantially aligned. This is aided considerably by the positioning band' 12- which prevents the string from riding up beyond the first joint of the middle finger. Further, the stiffening band 11 on sheath 9 provides sufiicient thickness to serve as a raised support or mound for launching the string 16 so that, upon its release, it will glide by the tips of the fingers with a minimum of danger of hitting the tip of sheath 9. T herefore, the danger of deflecting the string because of hitting the end of the middle finger is virtually eliminated.

While the modification involving the use of the raised hump on the stiifening band is not shown with the bow string in drawn position, it is readily apparent from a glance at Figs. 12, 13 and 14 that this hump would offer a restraint to the bow string until the moment of release, thereby permitting the sharp release desired.

While the present invention has been described by reference to the particular elements thereof, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration of the principles involved and that those skilled in the art may make many modifications in the arrangement and mode of operation. Therefore, I contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an archery glove having a body portion provided with a sheath for receiving the middle finger of the shooting hand, the improvement comprising a stiifening band attached to said sheath and extending both outwardly and inwardly from the portion of said sheath adapted to cover the first joint of the middle finger.

2. In an archery glove having a body portion and a sheath for receiving the middle finger of the shooting hand, the improvement comprising a bow string stop means on said sheath including a raised member secured to the side of the sheath adapted to cover the palmar surface of the middle finger of the wearer, the distal edge of said raised member being disposed at substantially the point on the sheath adapted to cover said middle finger and disposed adjacent the proximal side of the first joint of said middle finger.

3. In an archery glove having a body portion of thin material adapted to engage the back of the wearers hand, attaching means for securing the glove to the wearers wrist, and a plurality of finger enclosing sheaths attached to said body portion, the improvement compris ing a stiffening band attached to the front of the middle finger sheath and extending outwardly and inwardly of the portion of the sheath adapted to cover the first joint of the middle finger, bow string stop means on the middle finger sheath including a raised member the distal edge of which is secured to said sheath at substantially the point on said sheath adapted to cover the first joint of the middle finger, and finger positioning means including a member of substantially greater thickness than the material of the sheaths secured to the side of one of said sheaths to space the first and middle fingers apart.

4. In an archery glove having sheaths adapted to enclose the first and middle fingers respectively of the shooting hand, the improvement comprising a spacer member attached to the side of the first finger sheath to engage the adjacent side of the middle finger sheath and said spacer member having a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the sheath material and a stifiening band extending outwardly and inwardly of 6 the portion of said sheath adapted to cover the first joint of the middle finger.

5. In an archery glove having a sheath adapted to enclose the middle finger of the shooting hand and having a front surface of said sheath adapted to cover the palmar surface of said middle finger, the improvement comprising a positioning member secured to the front of said sheath in substantial alignment with the portion of said sheath adapted to enclose the first joint of the middle finger of the shooting hand, said positioning member being raised with respect to the front surface of said sheath to form therewith a cradle for receiving a bow string.

6. In an archery glove having a substantially flat pliable body portion adapted to engage the back of the shooting hand, means for attaching said glove to the wrist of the shooting hand, and a plurality of sheaths for receiving and partially enclosing the first, middle and ring fingers respectively of the wearer, the improvement comprising a positioning band attached to the middle finger sheath and extending across the front of said sheath, the front edge of said positioning band forming a bow string stop to prevent the string from sliding up the sheath beyond the first joint of the middle finger, and a spacing member attached to the side of the first finger sheath adjacent the middle finger sheath and positioned to contact the positioning band at the side of said middle finger sheath whereby said glove spaces the first and second fingers of the shooting hand to avoid pinching the arrow.

7. In an archery glove having a substantiallyfiat pliable body portion adapted to engage the back of the shooting hand, means for attaching said glove to the wrist of the shooting hand, and a plurality of sheaths for receiving and partially enclosing the first, middle and ring fingers of the wearer, the improvement comprising a cradle formed on the front of the middle finger sheath, said cradle having a raised hump disposed outwardly of the portion of said sheath adapted to cover the first joint whereby the bow string is restrained during the hold.

8. In an archery glove having a sheath adapted to fit over and partially enclose the middle finger of the shooting hand and having a front surface of said sheath adapted to cover the palrnar surface of said middle finger when said glove is in use, the improvement comprising a stiffening band extending from a point near the outer extremity of said sheath to point near the inner extremity of said sheath and attached to the front surface thereof, said stiffening band being so constructed and arranged as to serve as a launching platform for bow string.

' References'Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 251,571 Glidden Dec. 27, 1881 474,929 Tabor et al May 17, 1892 1,055,838 Torrance Mar. 11, 1913 1,092,207 Fredrickson Apr. 7, 1914 1,128,556 Vincent Feb. 16, 1915 1,314,096 Ross Aug. 26, 1919 2,322,710 Eisendrath June 22, 1943 2,524,979 Kimbrell Oct. 10, 1950 

